Zemez

The Difference Between General Web Hosting and Specialized CMS Hosting

alka

Table of contents 

Not all web hosting is created equal. While general hosting is a good fit for some, 47% of organizations use two or three content management systems (CMS), making specialized hosting the better option. 14% of companies were using four or more systems in 2022, compared to 27% in 2024. The percentage of companies using only one system dropped in half during the same period, from 38% to 19%. 

WordPress remains the most commonly used CMS. As of October 2024, the titan powers almost 44% of all websites. Almost half a billion websites are built on WordPress, which dominates the market with a share of 62.5%. 

Main differences 

General hosting is suitable for different types of databases and web development technologies. Users who are looking for cost-effectiveness and more flexibility and control over their server configurations may find general hosting a better fit. 

On the other hand, specialized hosting provides a performance-optimized environment with features and tools specific to the respective CMS. WordPress hosting is ideal if you want to improve a WordPress website’s performance and security but can’t or don’t want to deal with server management.

General web hosting is typically cheaper than specialized CMS hosting. It’s a good choice if you want to keep expenses low and want more customization possibilities.

Pros and cons of general hosting 

General hosting offers the flexibility to host different platforms or custom sites. A user who operates multiple websites on different platforms would find using the same hosting provider easiest.

General hosting tends to provide more room to tweak server configurations, especially if you opt for a dedicated or VPS hosting plan. They won’t automatically be configured to the needs of a specific CMS, but this won’t be a problem if you have experience with development. 

Specialized hosting often includes built-in speed optimization and caching, while general hosting lets the user select solutions for a custom performance setup.

As a downside, general hosting lacks specialized support, and the user must manage backups and security manually. 

Pros and cons of specialized hosting

Specialized hosting often comes with security features tailored to a CMS’s specific vulnerabilities. For example, WordPress hosting may include automatic updates, malware scanning, and security patches specific to WordPress.

Support teams for specialized CMS hosting are often more experienced and can provide quicker and more effective solutions, which can be invaluable for customers. The latest statistics on customer service show that 45% of consumers want their problem solved in the very first interaction with support. 80% feel that their experience with a company is just as important as its products and services. 

Specialized hosting providers may also maintain a curated list of recommended plugins or modules that are known to work well with their hosting environment, helping users avoid compatibility issues. 

On the other hand, small businesses are still struggling to adapt to recent inflationary pressures. According to inflation calculations, $1 in November 2022 was equivalent to $1.03 a year later, reflecting a noticeable cost increase over the year. This increase impacts business operations, including material costs, payroll, taxes, and utilities. What’s more, many new businesses are recovering from startup costs, which range from less than $50,000 to more than $1,000,000 for small businesses in 2024. 

Specialized CMS hosting is often more expensive than generic hosting solutions. The premium price reflects the optimizations, enhanced security, and support tailored to a specific CMS, which might not be necessary for all users. The added cost might not be justified, especially if the website doesn’t need the advanced performance features. 

Some specialized CMS hosts may control the update schedule for the CMS and its plugins, potentially causing compatibility issues with customizations or third-party tools.

Recap